He Autumn in Madrid For many Madrid residents, it's the best time of year. The summer heat subsides, the terraces remain open, the parks turn ochre, and the city regains its rhythm after the holidays.
Specifically, it is the season with the best relationship between weather and visitor numbers: it is nice for walking for hours and the queues at museums are shorter than in spring or Easter.
Why visit Madrid in autumn?
- Mild temperatures: between 12 and 22 degrees on average in October, ideal for exploring the city on foot.
- Fewer crowds than in spring, especially during the week.
- The parks at their best, with the trees changing color from mid-October.
- Cultural season: theaters, the Royal Theater and major exhibitions begin their programming in September.
- Accommodation prices more content than in the months of highest demand.
The best parks and gardens in Madrid in autumn
Retiro Park
The undisputed classic. Indeed, the trees along the Paseo de Coches and the Parterre area offer the best color contrasts from the end of October onwards. Take the opportunity to also see the ahuehuete tree almost 400 years old, the oldest tree in the city.
Caprice Gardens
Probably the most beautiful historic garden in Madrid and one of the least known, because it's only open on weekends and holidays. That's why its labyrinth and pond are especially photogenic in autumn.
Royal Botanical Garden
Along with Prado Museum, It concentrates an enormous variety of species within a few hectares. It is also the place where the color changes are most noticeable, and the trail is well signposted.
Campo del Moro
The gardens located below the Royal Palace, with one of the most elegant views in the city. In fact, they are usually very quiet even on weekends.
Temple of Debod
It's not a park, but its open area still offers the best sunset in Madrid. What's more, it gets dark earlier in autumn, so you can enjoy it without waiting until 10 pm.
What to do in Madrid in autumn
On the other hand, beyond the parks, this is the season in which the city offers more indoor plans.
- Explore the old town on foot, without the heat that makes walking in August impossible.
- Visit the great museums with noticeably shorter tails. Prado Museum It's a must-see stop.
- Getting lost in the Literary Quarter, where cafes regain their indoor atmosphere.
- Escape to the Royal Sites of Aranjuez, a 45-minute train ride away, with one of the most spectacular autumns in the region.
- Try the seasonal dishesMadrid stew, tripe and mushrooms return to the menus.
- Take advantage of the cultural program, which kicks off strongly in September and October.
Practical tips for autumn in Madrid
- Layered clothing. The difference between morning and midday can exceed ten degrees.
- Bring a light umbrella. October and November account for a large part of the year's rainfall, although it is usually brief.
- Night falls early. At the end of October the clocks change and by 7:00 pm it is already dark; plan your outdoor visits for the morning.
- Book in advance Temporary exhibitions, which attract large crowds at this time of year.
- The best time for color In the parks it runs from the end of October to the middle of November.
Frequently asked questions about autumn in Madrid
Ode to Madrid
Madrid, if you have so much you are worth so much and although lacking holm oaks, I breathe you in, drinking the winds of the Retiro and the gold of the twilight in Rosales.
With romantic autumns you prevail to remain in the sigh. Where are we going, Madrid? I look at October and you come out to me with the taste of loneliness.
While my heart turns yellow in the afternoon, but not my body, I wander through the tranquility of the palace.
Everything is pretended to be fast and urgent, but I explore you slowly, because matters of the soul move slowly.
Whether you're from Madrid or coming from anywhere else in the world, come and explore the city: it's more beautiful than ever in autumn.
Weather and best time to visit Madrid in autumn
In September, however, there are still warm days, with highs near 28 degrees Celsius. In contrast, October ranges between 12 and 22 degrees, and November between 6 and 15. Rainfall is moderate and usually concentrated in short bursts.
October is ideal for its balance of pleasant temperatures, still-long days, and trees beginning to change color. The second half of the month is best if you're looking for ochre tones.
Layered clothing for between seasons: a t-shirt, a light sweater, and a windbreaker. In November, it's a good idea to add a light coat and a scarf for the evenings.
What to do and where to go
Considerably less than in spring and certainly less than during Easter or Christmas, especially from Monday to Thursday. The long weekends in October and November are the exception.
In the Retiro Park, the Royal Botanical Garden, the Capricho Gardens, and the Campo del Moro. Outside the city, the gardens of Aranjuez and the Sierra de Guadarrama mountain range.
Yes, especially for those who prioritize museums and gastronomy. It's cooler and gets dark early, but the city is quiet, and by the end of the month the Christmas atmosphere is starting.
